Participated · Series F · Oct 2021

DIG is a vegetable-forward, multi-format restaurant group founded in 2011 in New York City that operates fast-casual restaurants, annex programs, strategic partners, and a dining & innovation space called 232 Bleecker. Its core offering is vegetable-centric cooking supplemented by responsibly sourced proteins and produce from DIG Acres, a 20-acre mixed vegetable farm in Chester, NY that supports a farmer apprenticeship program. The company runs DIG Academy, a culinary and business training program, and DIG Feeds, which has donated over 225,000 meals to hospitals, shelters, and community organizations. DIG emphasizes people-first policies including permanent wage increases (converting a $2/hr pandemic bonus), four-month fully paid parental leave for eligible employees, and a tested 4-day workweek pilot. Planned growth includes reopening locations temporarily closed due to COVID-19, expanding restaurant count from 30 to 60 over the next three years, rolling out new formats and kitchen technology pilots (including one at 127 4th Avenue), and expanding DIG Academy into immersive analog and digital education. Dig Inn is an operator of fast-casual restaurants with a 15-restaurant chain in New York and Boston. The chain offers market plates with an average meal price of $10 and sources produce from local farms. Dig Inn aims to make simple, high-quality food available at a relatively affordable price. The company plans to use new capital to launch more restaurants and to open a free culinary training school for employees. Management also intends to make key leadership hires and build out its internal tech platform as part of expansion efforts. The chain plans to open 13–15 additional locations in New York and Massachusetts by 2019 and to expand to a third state in 2018; it had previously raised $21.5 million in earlier rounds. Dig Inn is a vegetable-forward, farm-to-table restaurant chain offering fresh meals priced about $7–$10 per plate. Founded in 2011 in New York City, the company operates 10 locations and has a dedicated local following. It employs nearly 500 in-store staff and about 20 employees in its New York corporate office. The company plans to expand beyond NYC this year, growing its store count from 10 to as many as 18 and targeting Boston as the likely first market outside New York. Dig Inn expects to hire roughly 100 additional employees to support that expansion. Management is focused on preserving company culture during growth through shared meals, open-office arrangements, newsletters, and social events.

Led · Equity · Nov 2016

&pizza is a fast-casual pizza concept founded in 2012 in Washington, D.C., operating 23 shops across Washington, D.C., New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Its core product is customizable signature "HIT" pies and craft beverages, offering unlimited toppings plus gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. The brand highlights a people-first workplace—employees called the "Tribe" are paid a living wage—and strong community engagement via &CHARITY, which has supported over 1,000 local organizations. The company announced it closed a round of strategic funding from RSE Ventures to accelerate growth. Planned expansion includes entering Miami and Boston and opening 4–6 new New York City shops in 2018. RSE partners Stephen Ross and Matthew Higgins will join &pizza’s board to support brand-building and scaled expansion. &pizza operates a fast-casual pizza and craft beverage concept offering made-to-order individual pies with unlimited toppings and eight chef-inspired selections. The menu emphasizes fresh ingredients, organic dough, non-GMO produce and includes gluten-free and vegan options. The company also develops local, small-batch beverage lines including &SODA, &TEA and &WINE. Founded in 2012 and led by CEO Michael Lastoria, &pizza has expanded into Baltimore and Philadelphia and is growing its footprint in the D.C. area. It plans further expansion into several major markets, including opening its first New York City shop in NoMad in mid-2017. By year end it expects to operate 21 shops, adding six locations across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia region. &pizza is a Washington, D.C.-based pizza brand founded in 2012 by Steve Salis and Michael Lastoria. The company offers handmade pies made with fresh ingredients in several flavor combinations, served in shops designed to reflect the culture and people of each neighborhood. It also sells a variety of housemade and branded wines, hand-crafted sodas, salads, and desserts. At the time of the article the company operated nine locations in the DC metropolitan area with six more expected to open in the first half of 2015. &pizza received a $10M investment from undisclosed backers and intends to use the funds to expand operations in key markets. The company is also committed to supporting localized charity programs through its umbrella foundation, &charity.